Electrical Control Systems for Pumps
Tricel provides electrical control solutions for commercial, industrial and building-services pumping systems, helping pumps start, stop, regulate speed, sequence and communicate according to the requirements of the installation. From straightforward automatic pump control to variable-speed and multi-pump systems, our team can help develop a control strategy around the pump duty, application and required level of monitoring.
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Electrical Pump Control Solutions
Different pumping systems require different levels of electrical control. The control strategy should be selected around the pumps, the hydraulic duty and the way the installation needs to operate.
Pump Starter & Automatic Control Systems
Automatic Pump Control
CONTROL
Automatic start and stop
PUMPS
Single or duty/standby
SIGNALS
Pressure, level or process demand
Electrical controls can start and stop pumps automatically according to system conditions such as pressure, level or process demand, with protection and fault indication as the application requires.
Control Panels & Vessels
Demand-Based Pump Operation
CONTROL
Variable-speed drive (VFD)
PUMPS
Compatible pumps and motors
SIGNALS
Pressure, flow or system demand
Variable-speed control adjusts pump speed as system requirements change, so pump output follows the required duty rather than running continuously at fixed speed.
Multi-Pump Control Systems
System demand and pump status
CONTROL
Sequencing and duty sharing
PUMPS
Two or more operating together
SIGNALS
Pressure, flow or system demand
Where several pumps operate together, the control system decides which pumps run, when additional capacity is brought in and how running hours are shared.
BMS & System Integration
Connected Pump Control
CONTROL
Monitoring and communication
PUMPS
Systems with compatible controls
SIGNALS
BMS, SCADA or remote monitoring
Compatible pump controls can exchange selected operating information with building or process-management systems, supporting central monitoring and control.
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Grundfos Pump Control Technology
Grundfos provides dedicated pump-control platforms for applications ranging from HVAC and water transfer to wastewater pumping and level control. Each is matched to its own application.
Grundfos Control MPC
Advanced Multi-Pump Control
PUMPS
Multiple pumps in parallel
USED FOR
HVAC circulation, pressure boosting and water supply
CONTROLLER
CU 352; GENIECON on newer systems
Control MPC provides control and monitoring for pumps operating together in parallel, with coordinated sequencing and system control. It is not a wastewater controller.
Grundfos CUE
External Variable-Speed Drive
PUMPS
Compatible standard pumps
USED FOR
Matching pump speed to system demand
CONTROLLER
CUE external frequency converter (VFD)
Grundfos CUE provides external variable-speed control for compatible standard pumps, so pump speed can respond to system requirements. Grundfos E-pumps have a frequency converter built in instead.
Grundfos LC 231 & LC 241
Level-Based Pump Control
PUMPS
One or two
USED FOR
Wastewater pits, drainage and tank filling
CONTROLLER
LC 231 (compact) or LC 241 (cabinet)
LC 231 and LC 241 provide automatic level-based operation, monitoring and pump protection for one- and two-pump installations, using float switches or a level transmitter. LC 231 is compact; LC 241 is a modular cabinet platform for greater configuration flexibility.
Grundfos Dedicated Controls
Advanced Wastewater Control
PUMPS
Up to six
USED FOR
Wastewater pumping stations
CONTROLS
CU 362
Grundfos Dedicated Controls provides monitoring and control for larger wastewater installations using the CU 362 controller. It is a wastewater controller, not a general HVAC controller.
Control Designed Around the System
From Pump Operation to Complete System Control
The correct electrical control system starts with understanding how the pumping system needs to operate.
Pressure, flow, level, system demand, pump sequencing, alarms and communication requirements can all influence the control strategy.
Tricel considers the electrical controls alongside pump selection, so the pumps and controls operate as one coordinated system.
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Electrical Pump Control Applications
Commercial HVAC
Variable-speed and multi-pump control for commercial heating and cooling.
Pressure Boosting
Automatic pressure regulation and pump sequencing as demand changes.
Packaged Pumping Stations
Electrical control as part of complete wastewater and drainage pumping stations.
Industrial Pump Systems
Electrical pump control driven by process signals, for suitable industrial duties.
Bespoke Pump Systems
Control systems designed as part of custom pumping packages.
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Choosing the Right Control System
To recommend a control system, our team needs to understand the pumps and how the installation should operate.
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Factor
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What we need to know
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Pump arrangement
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Number of pumps and the required operating sequence
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Pump motors
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Pump and motor details
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Control variable
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Pressure, flow, level, temperature or a process signal
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Speed control
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Fixed-speed or variable-speed operation
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Sequencing
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Duty/standby, alternating, staged or cascade control
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Sensors
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Required pressure, level, flow or process sensing
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Alarms
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Required warnings and fault conditions
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Connectivity
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BMS, SCADA or remote-monitoring requirements
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Environment
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Installation location and environmental conditions
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Existing system
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New installation, or upgrade or replacement
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Control & Monitoring Functions
Functions vary by system. Each control system includes only those its pumps and application need.
Automatic Pump Operation
Pumps start and stop according to system conditions, without manual intervention.
Variable-Speed Regulation
Pump speed is adjusted to hold a set pressure, flow or level as demand changes.
Pump Sequencing
Pumps are brought in and out of service in order, with running hours shared where required.
Protection & Alarms
Faults and abnormal conditions are detected and reported, with protective action where the control equipment provides it.
Sensor-Based Control
Pressure, level, flow or process sensors provide the signals that decide how the pumps operate.
System Communication
Selected operating data can be shared with a BMS, SCADA or remote-monitoring system where the controller supports it.
Connectivity, BMS & Remote Monitoring
Compatible Grundfos controllers and pumps can communicate through communication interface modules (CIM) and other interfaces, sharing operating information with a BMS, PLC, SCADA or remote-monitoring system.
Communication options differ by controller and module, and not every product supports every option. Tricel can confirm what is needed for the selected controls during system design.
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From Design to Commissioning
01
Understand
Review the pumps, duty, application and control philosophy, including a site survey of existing installations.
02
Design & Specify
Supply the control equipment and integrate it with the pumps and system.
03
Supply & Integrate
Where appropriate, packaged sets are assembled and tested in Tricel’s facilities before delivery.
04
Commission & Support
Install, set up and test the completed system, with ongoing service and maintenance.
Modernise Existing Pump Controls
Existing pump systems can be assessed to determine whether pumps, drives, controllers or monitoring equipment need to be upgraded to meet the required operating strategy. Tricel carries out site surveys of existing pump installations, followed by installation, commissioning and service and maintenance.
Looking for Control Panels & Vessels?
Electrical control systems (this page)
Automation, control strategy, variable speed, sequencing, sensors, controllers and communication.
Control panels & vessels
Physical pump control panels and associated pressure and expansion-vessel arrangements.
frequently asked questions
What is an electrical pump control system?
It is the equipment that decides how pumps operate: when they start and stop, how fast they run, how several pumps share the duty, and what alarms and information are reported. It may range from a simple automatic starter to a multi-pump controller with variable-speed drives and BMS communication.
What is a VFD or variable-speed drive?
A variable-speed drive (VFD, or frequency converter) changes the speed of the pump motor so that pump output matches demand instead of running at one fixed speed. Some pumps have a drive built in; others can use an external drive such as Grundfos CUE, where the pump is compatible.
What is the difference between Control MPC and CUE?
Control MPC is a multi-pump controller that coordinates several pumps operating in parallel, for example in pressure boosting and HVAC circulation. CUE is an external frequency converter that adds variable-speed control to a compatible standard pump.
What is the difference between LC 231 and LC 241?
Both provide level-based control, monitoring and protection for one or two pumps. LC 231 is a compact unit; LC 241 is a cabinet-based platform that offers more modularity and configuration options.
Can pump controls connect to a BMS?
Many current controllers can, but not all, and the options differ by controller and communication module. The communication method and the signals to be exchanged should be confirmed during system design.
Can Tricel replace an existing pump control system?
Tricel carries out site surveys of existing pump installations. Our team can assess the pumps, controls and operating strategy and recommend whether the drives, controllers or monitoring equipment should be upgraded or replaced.
Electrical Pump Control Systems in Ireland
Tricel provides electrical control solutions for commercial, industrial and building-services pumping applications across Ireland. Our engineers specify, supply, install, service and maintain pumps and their control systems.
Solutions range from straightforward automatic pump operation to variable-speed and multi-pump control. Current Grundfos technologies include Control MPC for multi-pump systems, CUE for variable-speed control of compatible pumps, LC 231 and LC 241 for level-based wastewater and drainage control, and Dedicated Controls for larger wastewater stations.
Our team can assess the pumps, operating requirements, sensing, control strategy and integration requirements before identifying an appropriate solution. For an overview of all control options, see pump controls; for complete packages, see bespoke pump systems.
Need an Electrical Pump Control System?
Tell our team about your pumps, application, operating sequence, sensors and monitoring requirements, and we can help develop an appropriate control solution.
Call +353 (0)64 668 8040 or email watersales@tricel.ie